Pauken presses for debate with Abbott

Former state GOP chairman Tom Pauken is again challenging Attorney General Greg Abbott to debate him in the race for their party’s nomination for Texas governor.

Pauken said he wants Abbott to meet him in “a series of Lincoln-Douglas style debates as soon as possible so that likely primary voters can begin to learn the candidates’ views about how they will govern as the next Republican governor of Texas.”

In a press release, Pauken cited Abbott’s answer on WFAA on Sunday when asked if he’d debate Pauken.

Abbott said that he would be “debating the issues with the general public on an ongoing basis” to get out his message.

Pauken – in a reference to Abbott’s big war chest and widely held notion that he’ll succeed Perry – contended that Abbott “seems content to be the $25 million man, accepting his sense of some divine right that the political pundits and other insiders decide.”

Pauken said this is the third consecutive week he has challenged Abbott to a debate. Abbott formally declared his widely anticipated candidacy a little over a week ago.